WhatsApp has unveiled usernames, a new privacy feature that will allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers.
The Meta-owned messaging platform announced on Monday, June 29, 2026, that users can now reserve unique usernames ahead of a phased global rollout later this year.
The feature will allow users to share a username instead of their mobile number when starting new conversations, although a phone number will still be required to register and maintain a WhatsApp account.
WhatsApp said the update is designed to give users greater control over their personal information, particularly when interacting with new contacts.
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Vice President and Head of Product, Alice Newton-Rex, said the feature addresses concerns about sharing phone numbers, which are often linked to other aspects of users’ personal lives.
Usernames must be unique and contain between three and 35 characters. To reduce impersonation, WhatsApp has reserved usernames for public figures, organizations and brands, while eligible businesses and creators will be able to claim usernames that match their Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The platform said usernames will not be publicly searchable. Users must know another person’s exact username before initiating contact, while an optional username key will add another layer of protection by requiring first-time contacts to enter a unique code before sending messages.
The feature will be introduced to WhatsApp’s more than three billion users worldwide over the coming months.